Model year record

1997 THOMAS ER Model

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. No owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V177000

Steering: steering wheel/handle bar

Component
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
953
Reported to NHTSA
1997-10-20
Owners notified
1997-10-17

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES. IF DEBRIS BECOMES TRAPPED BETWEEN THE PLASTIC CUP, WHICH SEALS THE OPENING WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN COMES THROUGH THE BUS FLOOR AND THE STEERING KNUCKLE, THE STEERING LINKAGE CAN BIND.

Safety risk

BINDING OF THE STEERING LINKAGE COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO OVER STEER THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OR A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS ARE REQUESTED TO REMOVE THE PLASTIC SEAL WHICH WILL LEAVE AN OPENING BETWEEN THE VEHICLE FLOOR AND THE STEERING COLUMN. THOMAS BUILT IS IN THE PROCESS OF DESIGNING A PROPER SEAL FOR THAT AREA, AND THIS SEAL WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS FOR INSTALLATION.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V154000

Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump

Component
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump
Manufacturer
THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC.
Vehicles affected
200
Reported to NHTSA
1997-09-12
Owners notified
1998-07-28

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT BUSES. A BURR ON THE SPOOL BORE OF THE STEERING GEAR PUMPS CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF OIL FLOW.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST AND/OR OVERHEATING THE ENGINE.

Manufacturer remedy

THOMAS BUILT IS REQUESTING OWNERS TO INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON THE STEERING GEAR PUMP. IF THE PUMP IS STAMPED WITH A DATE CODE PRIOR TO 6/1/97 AND DOES NOT HAVE AN "L" OR AN "RL" STAMPED ON THE IDENTIFICATION TAG, THE OWNER WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE PUMP. OWNERS WILL BE SHIPPED A REPLACEMENT PUMP AND DETAILED REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. IF THE OWNER SO DESIRES, THOMAS BUILT CAN DO THE INSPECTION AND REPAIR ON THESE BUSES.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

No complaints recorded for this model year.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.